This is an opportunity to promote Bac Ninh , but it also comes with many concerns and questions about how to ensure that this precious national heritage escapes the state of needing urgent protection and moves towards sustainable preservation and development.
Honoring precious and unique paintings.
The number of visitors to Dong Ho folk painting village these days is higher than usual. The joy of the village being recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of urgent protection spreads from the village market that gathers in the morning to every small alleyway.
Eager to visit the Dong Ho Folk Painting Conservation Center of artisan Nguyen Dang Che, Ms. Nguyen Thanh Huong from Tu Son ward (Bac Ninh) shared: “As a native of Bac Ninh, when I heard that UNESCO had recognized the craft of Dong Ho folk painting as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of urgent protection, I felt very proud and made sure to visit the painting village as soon as possible. Here, I not only relived childhood memories when I saw familiar paintings from my youth such as 'The Mouse Wedding' and the pair of paintings 'Prosperity and Wealth,' but I also gained a better understanding of the creative process of the artisans in making these simple yet soulful paintings.”
Dong Ho folk paintings are a traditional craft of woodblock printing, created and developed by the Dong Ho village community in Thuan Thanh ward (formerly Song Ho commune, Thuan Thanh district), Bac Ninh province, over 500 years ago. Through the skillful hands of the artisans, these exquisite woodblock prints, with their completely natural colors, vividly depict the simple, honest working life of farmers, the customs, traditions, and aspirations of the Vietnamese people. Due to its high historical, cultural, and scientific value, Dong Ho folk painting was included in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (first phase) in 2012.
Having been involved with Dong Ho folk paintings since the age of 14, and now more than 50 years later, Meritorious Artisan Nguyen Thi Oanh is moved when she recalls the moment she received the news that her village had been recognized by UNESCO.
She expressed: “Our family is very honored and fortunate that my husband, artisan Nguyen Huu Hoa, along with the provincial delegation, attended the UNESCO session in New Delhi (India), witnessing the moment when our ancestors' traditional craft was honored. Proud of our craft, we are even more aware of our responsibility and that of our community in preserving traditional values, improving product quality, and strengthening the promotion and dissemination of this unique painting craft to relatives, friends, and domestic and international tourists.”
Deeply committed to preserving traditional crafts.
With the approval of the Government , since 2014, Bac Ninh province, together with relevant ministries and agencies, has been preparing a dossier to submit to UNESCO for the inscription of Dong Ho folk painting as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of urgent protection.
And after a long and arduous journey of over 11 years, marked by hundreds of large and small promotional events, the afternoon of December 9, 2025, was an unforgettable moment when, at the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage held in New Delhi (India), the Dong Ho folk painting craft of Vietnam was officially inscribed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of urgent safeguarding. This is the result of many years of persistent efforts by local Party committees, authorities, specialized agencies, experts, researchers, and especially the community of artisans in the painting village – those who have kept the flame of this heritage alive during the most difficult times.
Alongside the immense joy and honor, the community of artisans in Dong Ho painting village, which is now very small—from 17 families in the past to only three—still cherishes the craft, worried that it is in a state of "urgent protection." If it is not preserved, passed on, and rekindled in young people, Dong Ho paintings may only exist in books and memories.
Distinguished Artisan Nguyen Dang Tam, the 21st generation in his family to practice the art of Dong Ho folk painting and with 34 years of experience, said, “The recognition of this craft is a great encouragement for those who make Dong Ho folk paintings, and for the younger generation as well, to have more determination and motivation to preserve the craft. But in the face of the challenges of modern life, enthusiasm and passion alone are not enough; we need to preserve the ‘essence’ of the paintings, from the painting techniques and colors to the methods used. If the artisans can maintain the unique characteristics of the paintings, along with innovations to make them accessible to a wider audience, especially with the cooperation of government agencies and the global community, I believe the Dong Ho folk painting craft will be strongly revived, bringing back to life a once thriving craft village.”
Comrade Mai Son, Standing Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province and head of the provincial delegation attending the UNESCO session in India, said: “Immediately after the heritage was inscribed by UNESCO, Bac Ninh province implemented an action program to urgently protect the Dong Ho folk painting craft in accordance with international commitments. The province will direct specialized agencies and local authorities to coordinate with relevant units to strengthen the force of artisans, open classes to teach and train the next generation, ensuring that the craft has people to continue it for a long time. Focus will be placed on preserving the practice space by restoring some traditional craft households, building exhibition areas for creative works, improving the environment of craft villages, and linking preservation with cultural tourism activities; researching and issuing mechanisms and policies to encourage young people to participate… Most importantly, all activities will be implemented according to the principle that the community is the main subject, and the management agency is the supporting unit, in order to ensure that the heritage is preserved in its true value and aims for sustainable development. When the people truly become part of it.” "When the younger generation becomes aware of their responsibility towards the heritage, Dong Ho folk paintings will be protected for a long time and will have lasting vitality in contemporary life," Comrade Mai Son emphasized.
In the context of villagers increasingly abandoning the craft of Dong Ho folk painting to produce paper offerings, UNESCO's recognition of Dong Ho folk painting as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in need of urgent protection not only affirms the outstanding global value of the craft but also serves as a catalyst and warning, mobilizing strong attention from the State, community, and international community to preserve the heritage in a more urgent, systematic, and sustainable way so that the national colors will forever "shine brightly on the gilded paper."
Source: https://nhandan.vn/gin-giu-nghe-lam-tranh-dan-gian-dong-ho-post930114.html
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